Ocean Connectors is an interdisciplinary environmental education project that crosses borders and cultural boundaries, linking students to create a shared sense of stewardship and to promote an early interest in environmental issues. Ocean Connectors uses migratory marine species such as sea turtles, whales, and sea birds as tools to educate and connect youth in underserved communities on the Pacific Coast of the U.S. and Mexico. The program focuses on the migratory routes of these species as a way to illustrate the interconnectedness of oceans and ecosystems, helping students to form a global view of natural resources. Through a combination of class presentations by guest speakers, knowledge exchanges, hands-on marine science activities, journaling, and outdoor field trips, Ocean Connectors works to accomplish 3 goals:
- Promote environmental stewardship behaviors by giving youth the capacity and awareness to practice coastal conservation.
In today’s increasingly industrialized and populated world, many species of marine life face significant challenges for the future. Factors such as climate change, coastal development, marine pollution, bycatch, and hunting threaten ocean health. Migratory species face particular pressure as they depend on habitats located in widespread geographical regions, which often fall under the jurisdiction of different nations. The greatest hope for the future lies in giving children the tools they need to make environmentally-conscious decisions. This can be accomplished by building a sense of connectedness to the coastal environment and the marine life within it.
- Increase student academic achievement and support classroom learning goals.
Educational systems are struggling. California ranks 49th in per-pupil spending and 36th overall, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (2012). Mexico’s educational system faces major obstacles as well. It is saturated with corruption and ranks last in educational achievement among the 34 member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (2013). Classrooms are overcrowded and underfunded, often exceeding the allowable number of students per class. Public school curriculums lack support for diverse student learning styles, abilities, and cultural backgrounds. It is essential that the Ocean Connectors program works to improve educational conditions in the areas served through hands-on learning, science inquiry, and critical thinking.
- Give underserved youth access to diverse and inspiring learning opportunities in the coastal environment.
The ocean is a public resource, and coastal residents from all economic standings deserve the opportunity to interact with the unique marine life found in their own community. While people living in coastal areas often depend on marine resources for income, they tend to lack opportunities to simply enjoy the wonders of the marine environment. Low-income populations face particular challenges due to the high cost of transportation and marine recreation activities. Ocean Connectors breaks down these barriers, enabling underserved students to experience rare and inspiring coastal adventures in their own “backyard”, the Pacific Ocean.
